Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-12-29
THE CRAZY SCOUT.

Bragg's army was at Stevenson, Ala,
for several days before falling back to
Chattanooga and Lookout mountain. The
Army Of the Tennessee was pressing the
Confederates closely, and it was neces-
sary 10 preserve strong picket lines at all
times, and keep the scouts constantly on
the lookout TO avoid surprises.
The picket lines Of Bragg's army ex-
tended several miles, in order 10 watch
the different roads leading to Chatta-
nooga.
North Of Stevenson was a range Of
mountains known as Walden's ridge,
which was covered with a dense growth
of oak and hickory. The country was
sparsely settled, there were few roads, or
even pathways, and the heavily wooded
ravines and hillsides We're wild and
rugged in the extreme. There were caves,
waterfalls, wild game in abundance, and
everything pertaining to a country re-
mote from civilization.
To stand all night on pieket duty in
some lonely ravine, where there was no
sound save the babbling OF mountain
rivulets or the weird signing of the winds
among the tees, was anything bu: pleas
ant.
My company was among those detailed
for this duty, and the first night we were
stationed in dark, gloomy ravine at the
foot of Walden's ridge. Oneo of the picket
posts was under a large oak tree at the
very darkest, most uninterestinG spot on
the entire line. We went on duty at 8
O'Clock at night. and there would be no
relief until O'Clock the next morning.
A young man, brave and watchful and
general favorite in the company, was as
signed to the post under the giant oak.
The night passed without incident, but
when We were relieved next morning Pri-
vate Thompson, the young man stationed
under the tree, was missing. His gun
was broken and lying near the tree, and
there were indications that brief strug-
gle had taken place, but nothing more to
tell his fate. There were no blood stains,
and his disappearance was a mystery.
Nothing else was talked Of during the day
by the members Of the company. and
there was great anxiety to learn the fate
Of the brave young soldier.
The second night Private Baugh was
assigned to the post under the tree. He
laughed at the mystery when left alone,
but his voice trembled slightly, and it
was apparent that he would have preferred
some other place in the line Again the
night passed without any demonstration
in our front. but when We were relieved,
the face Of every man in the company
turned shade paler when it was known
that Baugh had also disappeared, leaving
his gun behind. Here was a genuine
and it attracted the attention Of
the officers OF the regiment. A squad was
detailed 10 examine the locality by day
light, but careful search revealed moth
ing. The officers decided that the mys-
terry would not occur again, and the picket
line was formed for the third night.
When the relief came on the third morn
ing the man under the oak was again
and his gun lying broken on the
ground. What was to be done' The mys-
tory must be solved in some way.
S.ryt. Brown volunteered to take the
dreaded post on the fourth night and
promised TO solve the mystery. He was
U tall, well formed man, . giant in
strength and a stranger to fear. Promptly
at 3 O'Clock that night he took his posi-
ton under the old oak, whose branches
seemed TO hang lower, as though they
would enyelop the spot in still deeper
The men and officers of the
company felt confident Of Sergt Browns
ability TO penetrate the mystery, which
had cost us three good men, and were
eager for morning to dawn. At last the
relief came and every mans face blanched
when it was learned that Sergt. Brown
had disappeared. His gun was there,
lent and broken, and there were signs Of
q desperate struggle between two or more
men, but nothing to tell the story Of his
fate.
Bushwhackers, Federal scouts, wild
animals, everything was suggested which
was believed possible to account for the
OF the four men. The mat
ter soon became the one topic Of conversa
ton in the army and by the officers Of our
regiment il was reported to Gen. Bragg.
He ordered that five or more men be
stationed at this post with instructions to
remain perfectly quiet, keep a careful
loohout and discover if possible the fate
OF the absent men.
was one of the five detailed by our
captain for the duty. We stationed our
selves in a small circle within the shadow
Of the oak, and stood like SO many statues
during the loag night. Once we heard a
noise like some man or beast creeping
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It was a bright starlight night and NOV
ing objects could be discerned at a dis
tance of several PAGES.
Not q sound broke the stiffness nnti.
near midnight, when myself and corn
panions in the tree distinctly heard the
sound of something moving stealthily to-